Evidence-Based Practice- the Future of Nursing and the Role of Nurse

During the 1980s, the term “evidence-based medicine” emerged to describe the approach that used scientific evidence to determine the best practice. Later, the term shifted to become “evidence-based practice” as clinicians other than physicians recognized the importance of scientifi c evidence in clinical decision-making. Various definitions of evidence-based practice (EBP) have emerged in the literature, but the most commonly used definition is, “the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients”. Evidence-based practice helps nurses provide high-quality patient care based on research and knowledge rather than because “this is the way we have always done it,” or based on traditions, myths, hunches, advice of colleagues, or outdated textbooks. For example, when clinical questions arise, should one look to a nursing textbook for the answers? Remember that books are not published every year, and new information may not be included in the edition you have.